Baltimore City health officials are warning parents who may be tempted to layer their infants in clothing to keep them warm in the frigid temperatures that the results could be harmful.WBAL-TV 11 News reporter Jennifer Franciotti talked with a Maryland mother who decided to share her story of tragedy in hopes of saving lives.Mobile users tap here for video."We woke up that morning, and we found him in the bed. He wasn't breathing," said Dearea Matthews while explaining the devastation she felt when her infant son, Charlie, died when he turned a month old. The Baltimore mother and son had fallen asleep in bed after breastfeeding.Four years later, Matthews said the "what ifs" never stop."I'm always going through it over and over in my mind, always wondering what I could have done differently," she told Franciotti.Keeping babies safe is the goal of the city Health Department's B'More Babies Safe Sleep campaign. Dr. Stephanie Regenold, the senior advisor for the campaign, said the message is simple."The safest way for a baby to sleep is alone on his or her back and in a safe, uncluttered crib," the doctor said.But putting Charlie in his crib wouldn't be the only thing Matthews said she'd change if she could turn back time."That night I remember Charlie had on several layers of clothes. So, wrapping the baby up too much, wearing too many clothes, things like that can be a problem. In December, we feel like it's cold and we put layers and layers on the baby, and they end up being too warm," she said.Over-layering infants is a common mistake parents make, according to health officials. They said the babies can easily overheat."People think it's not going to happen to them. It's like wearing a seat belt. You might never need a seat belt, but if you do, you'll be glad to have it on. It's the same with having a baby in a safe sleeping environment," Regenold said.Charlie had two older siblings. While Matthews was afraid to have another baby, she and her husband welcomed a new daughter anyway, the now-3-year-old Bella."We did have another little girl. She's been a blessing. We did things differently with her," Matthews said.Matthews currently works with the Health Department helping other moms who've lost a child and advocating for safe sleeping habits for all families.

BALTIMORE —

Baltimore City health officials are warning parents who may be tempted to layer their infants in clothing to keep them warm in the frigid temperatures that the results could be harmful.

WBAL-TV 11 News reporter Jennifer Franciotti talked with a Maryland mother who decided to share her story of tragedy in hopes of saving lives.

"We woke up that morning, and we found him in the bed. He wasn't breathing," said Dearea Matthews while explaining the devastation she felt when her infant son, Charlie, died when he turned a month old. The Baltimore mother and son had fallen asleep in bed after breastfeeding.

Four years later, Matthews said the "what ifs" never stop.

"I'm always going through it over and over in my mind, always wondering what I could have done differently," she told Franciotti.

Keeping babies safe is the goal of the city Health Department's B'More Babies Safe Sleep campaign. Dr. Stephanie Regenold, the senior advisor for the campaign, said the message is simple.

"The safest way for a baby to sleep is alone on his or her back and in a safe, uncluttered crib," the doctor said.

But putting Charlie in his crib wouldn't be the only thing Matthews said she'd change if she could turn back time.

"That night I remember Charlie had on several layers of clothes. So, wrapping the baby up too much, wearing too many clothes, things like that can be a problem. In December, we feel like it's cold and we put layers and layers on the baby, and they end up being too warm," she said.

Over-layering infants is a common mistake parents make, according to health officials. They said the babies can easily overheat.

"People think it's not going to happen to them. It's like wearing a seat belt. You might never need a seat belt, but if you do, you'll be glad to have it on. It's the same with having a baby in a safe sleeping environment," Regenold said.

Charlie had two older siblings. While Matthews was afraid to have another baby, she and her husband welcomed a new daughter anyway, the now-3-year-old Bella.

"We did have another little girl. She's been a blessing. We did things differently with her," Matthews said.

Matthews currently works with the Health Department helping other moms who've lost a child and advocating for safe sleeping habits for all families.